…Ilenikhena in race to be fit for Guinea-Bissau
Super Eagles forward George Ilenikhena is confident Nigeria will secure maximum points when they face the Dromedaries of Guinea-Bissau at the 24 de Setembro Stadium in Bissau at 5pm Nigerian time in their second game of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Both teams head into the encounter on the back of opening-day victories, with Nigeria coming from behind to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo, while Guinea-Bissau secured a 2-0 away win over Tanzania.
Tuesday’s game holds huge significance for both teams, as the winner will gain an advantage in the race to finish as one of the two teams from the group to qualify for the AFCON alongside Tanzania, who are already through to the competition as co-hosts with Kenya and Uganda.
Ilenikhena, who made his Super Eagles debut against Madagascar last Friday and scored Nigeria’s equaliser, believes the team have prepared well for the encounter and will do everything possible to claim maximum points.
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“We have prepared the best way we can and I am ready to give my best if the coach calls on me, and we will do our best to win the game,” the Al-Ittihad striker told Super Eagles media.
Head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that Ilenikhena picked up a knock but could feature against Guinea-Bissau if he is cleared by the medical team.
The former AS Monaco striker is also delighted with his bright start to his international career and hopes his goal against Madagascar will be the first of many for the Super Eagles.
“I am always trying to do my best and play my game. In the first game, there was a little bit of pressure, but when I come on the pitch, I always focus on doing my job.
“I am a striker, so I am always expected to score. I wasn’t thinking about it, but I didn’t know it was going to come so quickly. I was happy to score the equaliser against Madagascar.
“It is the first goal, and I hope it is the first of many. I will continue to work hard so that the fans can be proud of us and proud of me.”
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